The Task at Hand

WRITTEN BY EVELYN RESIDE

1988-89 VOL 1 NO 2

EDITOR’S NOTE: Penned by the second Editor-in-Chief of Scientia, The Task at Hand details a public dialogue hosted by Scientia involving the then three-yearold College of Science Student Council, the College of Science Administration as headed by the College’s first dean Dr. Roger Posadas, and the students who attended the event. The feature highlighted the “unquestionable apathy of CS students,” a phrase which unfortunately still carries truth today. To illustrate, the voter turnout in the College of Science for the 2018 UPD Elections did not even reach 50% at a turnout of 34.32%, lower than last year’s 48.73% turnout. The phrase must die out of any truth. The scientist must be made active and assertive, especially in these trying times when a creeping dictatorship looms the country and the state of science and technology remains stunted by the semi-feudal, semi-colonial character of Philippine society.

IT STARTED WITH a power failure. Most of the councilors and staffers sent word that they would be, at the least, late for the program. The refreshments, of all things, became a major problem. And to top it all off, only a sprinkling of curious spectators arrived to witness the event. Were these omens of more bad luck to come?

Fortunately not. On September 9, the dialogue between the College of Science Student Council (CSSC), CS Administrators and students, as mediated and sponsored by Scientia, was also showered with blessings. First was the lively and detailed discussion spearheaded by Dean Roger Posadas on one side, and CSSC President Annie Berdin on the other. Second was the positive audience response and active participation delivered by the Scientia staffers and the concerned students. Third, the dialogue provided an excellent opportunity for the students to air their sentiments as well as get to know their administrators and CSSC members better, And fourth, well, the refreshments made it on time.

The dialogue’s theme was “The College of Science Student Council: the Task at Hand”. True to form, the program progressed along that line. A brief year-ending report was presented by a former Chairman of the CSSC, Greg Labanda, and current Chairman Berdin and her councilors gave the audience a preview of the activities planned for their term. This year’s Student Council is stressing a general program of action that centers on value formation and community building. So what lies ahead for the CS community in the following months? For starters, the CSSC has just recently launched the Students’ Action Line, a welfare project for students whose problems (facilities, student-teacher relations, and dropping, shifting and transferring procedures among others) need immediate action and attention. In line with their goal of community building, the council intends to embark on projects such as a CS yearbook, a CS extravaganza (a variety show), a weekly “kapihan”, and a retreat for the seniors. A CS sportsfest was already successfully held early last semester.

Owing to the intimacy of the relatively small-group discussion, the students were able to air a number of their problems. Among these were the transportation dilemma along Roces Avenue (the road leading to the new CS Building). and complaints regarding curricula, the dilapidated lab rooms, and outmoded facilities.

On a broader scale, the state of science and technology in the Philippines was also tackled. Concerning this issue, the dean stressed the urgent need for more researchers in order to reverse the seeming backwardness of the country.

But the major concern was the unquestionable apathy of the CS students. The poorly attended fora, dialogues, and other CS activities are witness to this fact. It was resolved, then, that the CSSC should make an impact — that it should make itself a significant partner in the social and academic growth of each and every CS student. As much as possible, the students must be made active, not just aware.

It was at this point that most, if not all, of those present took a quick glance at the almost empty Pilar Herrera Hall and rea1ized once again that the apathy was all around. It filled the room; it was in the empty seats and in the curious faces of CS students who peeked through the huge doors and never bothered to enter. Too bad. They missed one very interesting and enlightening discussion.

And they missed refreshments.